Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital (MERMH) Laboratory has been re-awarded an accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection.

MERMH lab supervisor, Alicia Evensen, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. MERMH is one of more than 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories worldwide.

“We were very excited to receive this distinction,” said Evensen. “This is an unannounced inspection that occurs every other year to maintain the laboratory’s accreditation.”

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the deferral government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program.

During the on-site inspection, the CAP inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine the entire staff’s qualifications, the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory.

The College of American Pathologist is a medical society serving nearly 16,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The CAP is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective medical care.